The winner of the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund’s first $10,000 scholarship is David F. Hollenberg. The scholarship was created to benefit a former professional truck driver whose medical problems led to being unable to drive a truck.

David is an OOIDA member from Cameron, MO. The scholarship money will be used to fund an education necessary for retraining him and getting him back into the work force.

A second-generation truck driver, David supported his family as a driver until last year. On a late night in May 2011, his 2 million-safe-mile career was shattered along with his life as a driver.

David collided with a vehicle that was parked in the right lane on an interstate in the middle of the night on northbound I-29 north of Rock Port, MO.

During the accident he was able to keep the truck upright; however, the impact and running into a ditch left muscular and nerve damage. The accident left him with partial paralysis on the right side of his body and unable to pass his DOT physical.

“With the only career he knew how to do no longer an option, he turned to school and a career change,” said Dr. Donna Kennedy, executive director of the
St. Christopher fund.

In May of this year, David started an online college course studying business and says he is maintaining an A average. Once he gets his degree from Liberty University online, David plans further studies at Concord University online.

He calls the scholarship a blessing not just for himself, but his fiancée and their family.

“Now we have a future to look forward to,” he says. LL

The SCF was founded in late 2007 as a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization. Their mission is to provide assistance to professional truck drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship. This scholarship program was made possible by the National Association of Independent Truckers’ donation to the fund last year.